Was thinking about some of my wind band playing and this piece came to mind. The two Holst suites were favourites with the Glasgow school’s band and are full of good sounds.
Wind Band
It’s The Woodwind’s Turn
I have, on a few occasions (😁😁) featured the brass – today it is the turn of the woodwind (more specifically the clarinets. They do have some horns and tympani – so its OK 😂
A Less Well Known American March
This LP was a much-played one when I first bought it (many years ago). It has a great selection of American marches – some well known others less so.
Bolero – But Not As You Know It
The third French composer of the week is Ravel – this is an arrangement of Bolero – shortened from the original and part of the theatre show Blast! I didn’t get to see this show live – but I did experience the follow up show which was called Shockwave – it didn’t prove to be such a hit – not sure why because I for one thought it was a great show.
An Unusual Time Signature
In looking at what we played during the France trip when I was creating yesterday’s video I was reminded of a fun little piece which I thought would be good to share – have to admit I had completely forgotten about it.
A Song Of Hope
An unplanned break from the Scottish theme today. There is plenty of Scottish music that I could have used for the moment of calm/moment of reflection or whatever my Friday choice should be called. However a couple of days ago the trumpeter, Ryan Anthony, passed away after living with a cancer diagnosis for a number of years. I know that many of the folks that I am connected to on FB have experience of similar, either personally or through family/friends – so this one is especially for all of you.
My Last Solo
Continuing the theme of people playing the horn better than I did….. today it is the music of Saint-Saëns. This particular recording is with wind band accompaniment (which I think works quite well).
Military Band Camp
After I left school I was fortunate to be enlisted by the Glasgow School’s Music Department as a French Horn teacher and, as part of that I attended the Concert Band summer camp as Horn Tutor for five years. The best horn players went to the First or Second Orchestra camps so it was, in general, the younger players who were in the Concert Band – although some preferred that style of music.